The Falcons came within inches of snatching a dramatic win in last night's European Cup tie against Leinster and putting an end to the Dubliners' 14-match unbeaten run.

The Falcons came within inches of snatching a dramatic win in last night's European Cup tie against Leinster and putting an end to the Dubliners' 14-match unbeaten run.

Trailing 10-17 at Headingley as the game went into the last quarter, Newcastle launched attack after attack despite being without England fly half Jonny Wilkinson for a crucial 16 minutes for treatment to a nasty head gash which ultimately required 10 stitches.

Declining chances to go for goal with penalties, Newcastle kicked for the corner and attacked from the lineouts.

But time and again a combination of some superb Leinster defence and a referee who refused to administer the ultimate sanction of awarding a penalty try when the Irish team deliberately pulled down at least three rolling mauls, foiled them.

However, Welsh referee Gareth Simmonds' unbelievable patience finally snapped in the 74th-minute when Leinster flanker Terence Brennan's illegal killing of the ball in a ruck was so blatant he was sin-binned.

And with Leinster down to 14 men, Newcastle took advantage when Inga Tuigamala cut back inside to score an excellent try midway out on the left.

Up stepped Wilkinson, his head now patched up, and you would have put your life savings on him slotting the conversion to level the scores - only this time his kick sailed just the wrong side of the right-hand upright.

However, it wasn't over yet and after Michael Stephenson and Dave Walder had taken play from inside their own half to deep into the Leinster 22, Newcastle won quick ball and whipped it right to Wilkinson.

But as he was diving for the corner and looked certain to score, Wilkinson was hurled into touch by a superb flying tackle and the chance was gone.

It was a cruel blow for the inspirational Falcons fly half who was clearly bitterly disappointed at what he believed was letting down his team-mates - although in truth he did anything but and, as Rob Andrew said afterwards, he had absolutely nothing to reproach himself for.

It was just one of those things, as was the fact that he was wrong- footed on the heavy Headingley pitch when replacement scrum half Ben Willis scored Leinster's second try which with Brian O'Meara's conversion put the Irish team 17-10 in front five minutes after the break.

It looked a soft try but not nearly so soft as Leinster's first when after No.8 Victor Costello had made the important two yards from an attacking scrum, the ball was shipped out left along their back-line.

The arrival of full back Girvan Dempsey took out both the Falcons' centres and as a result, Michael Stephenson had no chance of catching Denis Hickie who gleefully scored.

Fly half Nathan Spooner converted to put Leinster 7-0 ahead after only six minutes but seven minutes later Newcastle were on level terms thanks to a brilliant piece of work by Tom May.

A powerful run by Tuigamala set up a ruck inside the Leinster 22 and when Wilkinson threw out a long pass to May, he cut back inside the cover and sprinted in under the posts.

Wilkinson added the conversion and he also kicked a penalty to cancel out Brian O'Meara's for Leinster and make the half time score 10-10.

Five minutes into the second half Leinster went ahead with what proved to be the crucial score and although the Falcons controlled the rest of the game, they simply couldn't turn their pressure into sufficient points, although it was desperately close.

"I thought we were outstanding and there was only one team in it during the last 20 minutes but at the end of the day, we were not good enough to win it," said Falcons' boss Andrew.

"Leinster deserved their victory because of their defence and the way they played the referee."

On the plus side, however, Newcastle have emerged from their first European Cup campaign a much wiser and much better side with a pack who can now compete with the best in most departments.

They are now much closer to being a very good side indeed and their immediate task is to ensure they qualify for next season's European Cup.